Randy Carlyle had lost six straight games before Friday — but not his sense of humour.
Asked at the end of the morning skate if he’d ever heard of retired boxer Riddick Bowe and Wednesday’s tweet “threat” to sock him if the Leafs lost against the Flyers, Carlyle had a chuckle.
“I’ll have to get my posse together from Azilda (a town near Sudbury),” the coach said. “From the Star Hotel.”
The Brooklyn-born former heavyweight champ, who twice K-Oed Evander Holyfield, owns a home in Toronto and has developed a passion for the Leafs through the years. As such, the prospect of missing the playoffs and Carlyle’s handling of some of his favourite players prompted Bowe to lash out after Tuesday’s loss to St. Louis.
“If the (Leafs) lose tomorrow I’m going to knock out Randy Carlyle. One punch between the eyes,” read @riddickbowe’s tweet ahead of Friday’s game. It included the hashtag #BoweLeafsBowe.
Yahoo Sports pointed out Carlyle had 29 career NHL fights, but says the 46-year-old Bowe would still prevail in the tale of the tape against the 56-year-old coach. Bowe’s hockey interests once included an investment in the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch.
A few Leafs had heard about the Bowe tweet and David Clarkson, who has had his own difficulties living up to fan expectations, thought some levity wasn’t a bad thing.
“You always try and keep things light,” Clarkson said. “At this point in the season, there’s no sense being tense or tight. You have to find a way to start winning games.”
Before Friday’s game, a more optimistic Bowe tweeted his call for a 3-2 Leaf win.
lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca